A Prose English Translation of Vishnupuranam (Based on Professor H. H. Wilson's translation.)

This book was transcribed from scans of the original found at the Internet Archive. The original text badly needed proofreading. It contained inconsistent spellings of names, misplaced punctuation, misspellings, inconsistent use of the macron (ā), improper nested quotations, and other problems. I have attempted to correct these where the author's intent was obvious. Manmatha Nath Dutt's translation is based on an earlier one by H. H. Wilson, available at sacred-texts.com. Where the wording or meaning of certain passages was unclear, either because of damage to the book or bad proofing, I have consulted the Wilson translation to make sure I got the meaning right.

There are two words in the text that may seem like one word inconsistently spelled but which are not: Brahma and Brahmā. The former refers to the impersonal form of Vishnu, and the latter is the demigod in charge of creation of the material universe.

The cover illustration makes use of art from the Met Museum, Krishna Govardhandhara, a miniature painting commissioned by Akbar (c.1590-95) Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper.

A

PROSE ENGLISH TRANSLATION

OF

VISHNUPURĀNAM

(BASED ON PROFESSOR H. H. WILSON'S TRANSLATION.)

EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY

MANMATHA NATH DUTT, M. A., M.R.A.S.,

Rector, Keshub Academy;

Author of the English Translations of the Srimadbhagavatam, Mahabharata, Bhagavat-Gita and other works.

CALCUTTA:

PRINTED BY H. C. DASS,

Elysium Press 65/2 Beadon Street.

1896

PREFACE.

That Purāna in which Parāsara, beginning with the events of Varāha Kalpa, expounds all duties, is called Vaishnava and is said to consist of twenty-three thousand stanzas. But the actual number of verses falls far short of the enumeration of the Matsya and the Bhagavata. Vishnu Purānam consists of all the characteristics of the Purāna, namely, five specified topics and has been divided into six books.

In this translation of Vishnupurānam I have principally drawn upon Professor H. H. Wilson's splendid work, and have tried, as best as lies in my power, to interpret the ancient thought entombed in this great work. My work is not so much intended for scholars as for the general readers who have not the time and leisure to read the original. Professor Wilson's book is very costly and cannot be always procured by the readers; and in the face of this difficulty I hope my edition will not be unwelcome to the general public.

CALCUTTA:

September 1894

CONTENTS:

PART I.

Section I.—Invocation. Maitreya inquires of his teacher Parāçara, the origin and nature of the universe. Parāçara performs a rite to destroy the demons; reproved by Vasishtha, he desists; Pulastya appears, and bestows upon him divine knowledge; he repeats the Vishnu Purāna, Vishnu the origin, existence, and end of all things.

Section II.—Prayer of Parāçara to Vishnu. Successive narration of the Vishnupurana. Explanation of Vasudeva; his existence before creation; his first manifestations. Description of Pradhana or the chief principle of things. Cosmogony. Of Prakrita or material creation; of time; of the active cause. Development of effects; Mahat; Ahankara; Tanmatras; elements; objects of sense; senses; of the mundane egg. Vishnu the same as Brahmā the creator; Vishnu the preserver; Rudra the destroyer.

Section III.—Measure of time, Moments or Kastha's, &c., day and fortnight, month, year, divine year; Yugas or ages; Mahajuga, or great age; day of Brahmā; periods of the Manus; a Manwantara; night of Brahmā, and destruction of the world; a year of Brahmā, his life; a Kalpa; Parardha; the past or Padma Kalpa the present or Varaha.